Ukraine-Russia war – live: Putin’s Black sea submarine hit as Kyiv launches explosive boats at Crimea port

A submarine and landing ship were hit in an overnight attack on Russia’s Black Sea Fleet, a Ukrainian spy agency official has said.

Russia blamed Ukraine for the attack, saying the Sevastopol shipyard in Crimea was struck by 10 cruise missiles

“We confirm a large landing vessel and submarine were hit. We do not comment on the means (used) for the strike,” Andriy Yusov, the official, told Reuters.

Earlier, Kim Jong-Un promised that North Korea would help Russia “fight imperialism” as he and Vladimir Putin met for weapons talks.

Speaking at Russia’s far east spaceport in a remote part of Siberia, the North Korean leader said the friendship between the two countries had “deep roots” and that Russia has “risen to a sacred fight” to protect its sovereignty and security.”

“We will always support the decisions of president Putin and the Russian leadership…and we will be together in the fight against imperialism,” he added.

Key Points

• Submarine and large landing ship hit in Crimea shipyard attack - Ukraine

• Kim vows to help Putin ‘fight imperialism’

• ‘Grateful’ Kim tells Putin Russia is ‘top priority’ for North Korea

• Russia’s Black Sea Fleet shipyard on fire after cruise missile attack

Why is Black Sea Fleet important to Russia?

15:13 , Matt Mathers

The city is used by the Black Sea Fleet which the Kremlin uses to project power into the Middle East and Mediterranean and - during the war in Ukraine - to impose a de facto blockade on Ukraine’s seaborne food exports via the Turkish straits.

Ukraine has tried to push back against the fleet’s naval dominance by attacking with sea drones packed with explosives, but Russia has continued to use its warships for missile attacks on Ukraine throughout the more than 18-month-old war.

It was not clear what kind of missile was used by Kyiv in the attack on Sevastopol, which lies about 300 km (185 miles) from Ukraine’s Black Sea port of Odesa.

Sevastopol attack in pictures

14:58 , Matt Mathers

14:41 , Matt Mathers

UK Storm Shadow cruise missiles were used as part of the attack on the headquarters for Russia’s Black Sea Fleet in occupied Crimea, according to military sources, Kim Sengupta reports.

The UK supplied Ukraine with Storm Shadow missiles earlier this year, In June, the then-defence secretary, Ben Wallace, told parliament that the missiles were having a "significant impact".

"It is my understanding its accuracy, and ability to deliver successfully the payload as sent and designed by the Ukrainians has been almost without fault," he said.

ICYMI: Putin and Kim shake hands for a full 40 seconds

14:22 , Matt Mathers

UK urges North Korea to keep promise of not selling arms to Russia

14:00 , Matt Mathers

The UK has urged North Korea to stick by its commitment not to sell arms to Russia.

A spokesperson for Rishi Sunak called on Kim Jong-Un to end negotiations with Vladimir Putin.

The comments come after Putin and Kim met earlier to discuss weapons and “economic” cooperation.

“We urge the DPRK to cease its arms negotiations with Russia and to abide by public commitments Pyongyang has made not to sell arms to Russia,” the No 10 spokesperson said.

“This visit serves to highlight Russia’s isolation on the global stage, and as the world unites against Putin’s illegal invasion of Ukraine and he has been forced to turn to regimes such as North Korea.”

Kyiv says 105 Ukrainian port infrastructure facilities damaged in Russian attacks since July 18

13:44 , Matt Mathers

More than 100 port infrastructure facilities have been damaged in Russian attacks on Ukrainian ports since July 18, Ukraine minister for infrastructure Oleksandr Kubrakov said on Wednesday.

He also said Ukrainian grain exports had fallen by almost 3 million tons per month since July 18 - one day after Russia quit the UN-backed Black Sea grain export deal.

"Since July 18, due to Russian attacks on Ukrainian ports, 105 port infrastructure facilities have been damaged and partially destroyed.

“As a result of strikes on the ports of the Danube cluster and the blocking of seaports, grain exports to Asia, Africa and Europe were reduced by almost 3 million tons per month,’ Kubrakov wrote on Facebook.

Russia keeps up ‘active defence’ on Ukrainian front - Shoigu

13:17 , Matt Mathers

Russian defence minister Sergei Shoigu said on Wednesday that his forces were maintaining "active defence" in the face of Ukraine’s counteroffensive, and that Moscow had no choice but to win.

Shoigu said the autumn campaign was now under way and acknowledged in comments to a reporter for Rossiya-1 state TV that the situation on the front was difficult in places.

"The forces are maintaining active defence on the necessary, essential fronts. In some places it’s harder, in others simpler," he said.

"But I can say that the lads and the commander are performing confidently, and reliably defending what we need to defend at the moment - those places, obviously, where the Ukrainian armed forces are trying to break through."

The main task was to knock out enemy weaponry, he said.

How Kim's meeting with Putin at Russian spaceport may hint at his space and weapons ambitions

13:00 , Matt Mathers

Ending a global guessing game on when and where they would meet, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and Russian President Vladimir Putin convened at a rocket launch facility in Siberia on Wednesday in their first summit in four years.

The talks between the two isolated, nuclear-armed leaders were expected to focus on expanding military cooperation amid their intensifying confrontations with the West.

Kim Tong-Hyung reports:

How Kim's meeting with Putin at Russian spaceport may hint at his space and weapons ambitions

ICYMI: Putin’s main Black Sea shipyard up in flames as Ukraine and Russia exchange air strikes

12:40 , Matt Mathers

Russia’s main shipyard in Crimea has been struck in a major attack involving 10 cruise missiles, according to Russian officials, with videos overnight appearing to show large explosions at a port in Sevastopol.

It comes as Ukraine said it shot down 32 drones out of 44 fired by Russia overnight, with Ukrainian port infrastructure in Odesa described as being the main target.

Arpan Rai reports:

Putin’s Black Sea shipyard up in flames after huge ‘Ukraine’ missile attack

EU chief announces major review saying the bloc should grow to over 30 members

12:20 , Matt Mathers

The European Union’s chief executive said Wednesday that her services will launch a major series of policy reviews to ensure that the 27-nation bloc can still function properly as it invites in new members in coming years.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said that the EU must prepare to grow to more than 30 members. Ukraine, Moldova and countries in the Western Balkans are among those in line.

Full report:

EU chief announces major review saying the bloc should grow to over 30 members

Russia’s Lavrov says situation has changed since North Korea was hit by UN sanctions

11:54 , Matt Mathers

Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov said on Wednesday the geopolitical climate had changed completely since the United Nations imposed sanctions on North Korea, and he accused the West of breaking pledges on humanitarian support for Pyongyang.

Lavrov was speaking to a Russian TV reporter as President Vladimir Putin hosted North Korean leader Kim Jong Un at a summit in Russia’s far east. Since 2006 North Korea has been under UN sanctions, which Russia supported, over its banned nuclear weapons and missile programmes.

"Sanctions against North Korea were adopted in a completely different geopolitical situation when there were problems establishing dialogue (with Pyongyang), when there were quite serious debates in the Security Council," Lavrov told Russian TV reporter Pavel Zarubin.

He said the reason that Russia and China had blocked a further U.S.-drafted sanctions resolution against North Korea last year was that the West had given a false promise at the time of the original sanctions on humanitarian aid for the country.

"That was another lie. We, the Chinese and the North Koreans were deceived," Lavrov said.

Romanian defence ministry says elements of possible drone found on its territory

11:15 , Matt Mathers

Elements of a possible drone were identified on Romanian territory, the Romanian defence ministry said on Wednesday.

A Russian drone attack early on Wednesday damaged port infrastructure in the Izmail district of southern Ukraine, just across the border from Romania.

Elements of a possible drone were identified on Romanian territory, the Romanian defence ministry said on Wednesday.

A Russian drone attack early on Wednesday damaged port infrastructure in the Izmail district of southern Ukraine, just across the border from Romania.

Over the weekend fragments of a drone similar to those used by the Russian military were found on Romanian soil, the defence ministry said, and President Klaus Iohannis said this indicated an unacceptable breach of Romania’s air space had occurred.

In a statement, Iohannis said he had informed NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg about the pieces of drone - the second to crash in Romanian territory this week - and that Stoltenberg reiterated the alliance’s complete solidarity with Romania.

Ukraine sees ‘partial success’ on southern front

10:25 , Matt Mathers

Ukraine’s general staff has said its forces had seen “partial success” on the southern front around the village of Robotyne.

A general said yesterday that the country’s forces had advanced up to 500 metres south and southeast of the settlement, although a statement did not provide any further details.

Meanwhile, a pro-Russian military blogger recently claimed Kyiv was attempting to push south towards Novoprokopivka and west, in the direction of Kopani.

Boris Johnson poses for photo at Ukraine drone factory

10:05 , Matt Mathers

Boris Johnson posed for a photo at a drone factory while on a recent visit to Ukraine.

The former UK prime minister visited Ukraine earlier this week, where he was given an honorary doctorate by the city’s Ivan Franko National University for his support of Ukraine during Russia’s illegal invasion.

“Fascinating to see the cutting edge military drone technology being developed in Ukraine,” he said in a post on X.

“Innovations like this are key to countering Russia’s illegal invasion.”

China agrees to rare visit by Papal envoy for Ukraine talks

09:49 , Matt Mathers

The Chinese foreign ministry said on Wednesday that Papal envoy cardinal Matteo Zuppi will visit China for talks on resolving the conflict in Ukraine, despite the lack of formal bilateral ties between Beijing and the Holy See.

China’s special envoy for Eurasian affairs Li Hui will meet with Zuppi, Mao Ning, a spokesperson at the foreign ministry, told a regular news conference.

"On the issue of Ukraine, China has always been committed to promoting peace talks," said Mao.

"We are ready to work with all parties and continue to play a constructive role in promoting de-escalation and cooling of the situation."

EU support for Ukraine ‘will endure’ - von der Leyen

09:30 , Matt Mathers

European Union chief Ursula von der Leyen said on Wednesday the bloc would extend special protections granted to Ukrainian citizens who fled Russia’s war, restating the bloc’s long-term dedication to support Kyiv.

"Our support to Ukraine will endure," the European Commission president said in her annual policy speech to the European parliament.

Politicians gave a standing ovation as von der Leyen recounted the fate of Victoria Amelina, a Ukrainian writer and activist who perished in Russia’s war against Ukraine after delivering her son to safety in Prague, an EU capital.

Ukraine says large Russian landing ship, submarine hit in Sevastopol strike

09:15 , Matt Mathers

A Ukrainian military spy agency official said on Wednesday that an overnight attack on the Crimean port of Sevastopol, home to Russia’s Black Sea Fleet, had struck a large Russian landing ship and a submarine.

"We confirm a large landing vessel and submarine were hit. We do not comment on the means (used) for the strike," Andriy Yusov, the official, told Reuters.

The attack on the major naval city took place around 3am and according to a local Russian-installed official injured 24 people. Videos purporting to show the strike showed three explosions in quick succession in Sevastopol.

Putin and Kim’s face-to-face talks conclude

08:57 , Matt Mathers

The face-to-face meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is over, Russian state news agency TASS reported on Tuesday.

Interfax reported the two leaders would then take part in an official lunch.

The two leaders will reportedly dine on duck salad, crab dumplings fish soup, sturgeon with mushrooms and a berry dessert.

Russian attack damages port infrastructure in Ukraine’s Izmail - officials

08:46 , Matt Mathers

A Russian drone attack early on Wednesday damaged port infrastructure in the Izmail district of southern Ukraine, an important grain exporting hub, Ukrainian officials said.

The attack on Izmail, which is in the Odesa region, was carried out in several waves, regional governor Oleh Kiper said.

"Unfortunately, there were hits: damage to port and other civil infrastructure was recorded," he said on the Telegram messaging app, without giving details of the damage.

North Korea vows to support Russia in ‘fight against imperialism’

08:30 , Matt Mathers

Responding to Putin’s opening remarks, Kim Jong-Un said North Korea would support Russia in its “fight against imperialism”.

He also said the friendship between the two countries had “deep roots” and that Russia has “risen to a sacred fight” to protect its sovereignty and security.”

“The Soviet Union played a very big role in the liberation of our country,” he said.

“Our friendship has deep roots, and now relations with the Russian Federation are the first priority for our country I am sure that our meeting will be the next step to take relations to a new level.

“Russia has risen to a sacred fight to protect its sovereignty and security … against the hegemonic forces. We will always support the decisions of President Putin and the Russian leadership … and we will be together in the fight against imperialism.

Kim also wrote in a visitor book at the centre: “The glory to Russia, which gave birth to the first space conquerors, will be immortal.”

Putin says Russia and North Korea to talk about ‘economic cooperation’

08:17 , Matt Mathers

Vladimir Putin said Russia and North Korea would discuss “economic cooperation” as he welcomed King Jong-Un to the Vostochny cosmodrome for weapons talks.

The Russian president said he was “very glad” to see the North Korea premier and that the meeting was taking place at a “very special time” as North Korea celebrates 75 years of its creation and foundation.

“We, of course, need to talk about questions of economic cooperation and questions of a humanitarian nature,” he said.

“We have a lot of questions. I want to say that I am very glad to see you. Thank you for accepting the invitation and coming to Russia.”

Ukraine ‘ready for winter loads’ after repairs to energy system

08:07 , Matt Mathers

Ukraine has nearly completed repairs of its power systems following Russian air strikes on energy infrastructure last winter, and is ready for the coming winter, a senior energy official said on Wednesday.

"We have installed all the equipment we planned and we are ready for the winter loads," Volodymyr Kudrytskiy, head of state-owned Ukrenergo power grid operator, told national television.

Russia’s campaign of frequent missile and drone attacks resulted in power cuts and scheduled blackouts to limit energy use, leaving towns and cities in darkness for hours at a time over winter.

Kudrytskiy said there was a ‘high risk’ of new attacks on the county’s energy system this winter, but that Ukrainian air defences were much stronger now.

"We know what it looks like (to be attacked) and it will be very difficult for the enemy to surprise us after the 1,200 missiles they fired at the power system last winter," he said.

Russia ‘rushes’ in new unit as forces stretched along front line

07:44 , Matt Mathers

Russia is “rushing” the deployment a new unit of its army to Ukraine because its forces are stretched along the front line, Britain’s Ministry of Defence has said.

Elements of Russia’s new 25th Combined Arms Army (25 CAA) have highly likely deployed to Ukraine for the first time, the MOD added.

The formation is likely focused on Luhansk Oblast in the north-east of the country.

The Mod said in its latest update: “It is likely that units have been rushed into action early partly because Russia continues to grapple with an over-stretched force along the front and Ukraine continues its counter-offensive on three different axes.

“However, there is also a realistic possibility that Russia will attempt to use parts of 25 CAA to regenerate an uncommitted reserve force in the theatre to provide commanders with more operational flexibility.”

Ukraine shoots down 32 out of 44 drones Russia launched on Wednesday

07:18 , Matt Mathers

Ukraine’s air defence systems destroyed 32 out of 44 Iranian-made Shahed drones that Russia launched into Ukraine early on Wednesday, Ukraine’s Air Force said on the Telegram messaging app.

"The main target (of the attack) was the southern parts of the Odesa region - the region’s port infrastructure," the Air Force said.

‘Grateful’ Kim tells Putin Russia is ‘top priority’ for North Korea

06:57 , Arpan Rai

Kim Jong-un has told Vladimir Putin that bilateral ties with Russia are a “top priority” for North Korea as he sat down for talks with his Russian ally.

“I am grateful you are paying such attention to our visit to Russia,” he told Mr Putin today.

Mr Putin told Mr Kim that the two leaders need to discuss economic cooperation and the situation in the region.

The meeting is taking place “in the meeting room on the first floor of the engineering building of the technical complex of the Soyuz-2 space rocket complex,” the Russian news agency TASS reported.

Putin and Kim sit down for talks after touring rocket facility

06:45 , Arpan Rai

Vladimir Putin and his North Korean ally Kim Jong-un have sat down for the main part of their talks at Russia’s biggest domestic space launch centre in country’s far east, reported Russia’s state media.

Earlier the two leaders went on a tour of the facility, and Mr Putin said they were there to discuss Russia supporting North Korea’s satellite programme.

The two sides are now discussing “all issues” with the participation of their delegations, reported the RIA news agency.

Ukraine says 32 out of 44 drones fired by Russia destroyed

06:24 , Arpan Rai

At least 32 drones out of total 44 fired by Russia this morning were destroyed by Ukraine’s air force, officials said.

Dozens of drones and missiles were exchanged by both sides in the small hours, with Ukraine’s air strike setting a critical port in Crimea on fire and damaging Russian ships.

Russia says Ukraine bombed Crimean shipyard with 10 cruise missiles

06:17 , Arpan Rai

Ukraine attacked the Sevastopol shipyard in Crimea with 10 cruise missiles and three high-speed boats earlier this morning, Russia’s defence ministry claims.

At least seven cruise missiles were destroyed by Russia’s air defence systems and all boats were destroyed by a Russian patrol ship, it said.

Ukraine has not yet commented on reports of the attack, and does not typically claim responsibility for operations on Russian or Russian-occupied territory.

Videos of the attack on Russia’s critical shipyard, the main facility for its Black Sea Fleet, showed three massive explosions in quick succession.

“As a result of being hit by enemy cruise missiles, two ships under repair were damaged,” the ministry said.

Putin says Russia will help North Korea build satellites

05:59 , Arpan Rai

Vladimir Putin said Russia will help North Korea build satellites as he toured Kim Jong-un around Russia’s newest cosmodrome.

On being asked if Russia would help North Korea build satellites, Mr Putin said: “That is why we’ve come to Vostochny Cosmodrome.”

He also said the two leaders will discuss “all issues” when asked about whether the summit will include weapons trade talks.

Mr Putin welcomed Mr Kim at the entrance to a launch vehicle assembly building and the two men shook hands.

Mr Kim’s translator thanked the Russian president for the warm welcome, “despite being busy.” The two leaders will inspect the cosmodrome and then sit down for talks, Russian state media reported.

‘Glad to see you’: Putin welcomes Kim to space rocket launch site

05:43 , Arpan Rai

Vladimir Putin welcomed North Korean leader Kim Jong-un to the Vostochny Cosmodrome, Russia’s most modern space rocket launch site.

“I am glad to see you,” Mr Putin said as he shook Mr Kim’s hand for around 40 seconds. “This is our new cosmodrome.”

Via a translator, Mr Kim thanked Putin for the invitation and for the warmth of his reception.

Putin and Kim Jong-un meet for weapons talks as North Korea fires ballistic missiles

05:25 , Arpan Rai

North Korea fired two ballistic missiles just hours before its leader Kim Jong-un was expected to meet Vladimir Putin for one-to-one talks in Russia.

The missile launch comes as Mr Kim arrived in Russia’s Vostochny Cosmodrome today for the first time in almost four years in his heavily armoured private train to meet president Putin – a rare meeting that is being closely watched amid international concerns about a potential arms deal and their partnership against the West.

Shweta Sharma reports here:

North Korea fires ballistic missiles as Putin and Kim Jong-un meet for weapons talks

BREAKING: Kim Jong-un arrives for talks with Putin in Russia

05:14 , Arpan Rai

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has arrived at Russia’s far east spaceport where he will hold weapons talks with Vladimir Putin.

Mr Putin arrived a short while earlier for the summit at the Vostochny cosmodrome.

Kim Jong-un stresses ‘strategic importance’ of Russia ties ahead of meeting Putin

05:06 , Arpan Rai

Kim Jong-un has said his visit to Russia shows the “strategic importance” of the two countries’ ties, state news agency KCNA reported as he is expected to meet Vladimir Putin today at a summit.

“Kim Jong-un said that his visit to the Russian Federation is a clear manifestation of the stand of the WPK (Worker’s Party of Korea) and the government of the DPRK (Democratic People’s Republic of Korea) prioritising the strategic importance of DPRK-Russia relations,” the KCNA report said.

The meeting, which could be as early as today, is being watched apprehensively by Washington and allies, who suspect the two leaders will discuss military cooperation and could agree on a deal to trade arms and defence technology.

Mr Kim arrived in Russia by private train yesterday in the Russian Far East accompanied by top defence industry and military aides, and was welcomed by an honour guard and senior Russian and regional officials.

Photos show massive fire engulfing Russia's Black Sea Fleet shipyard

04:22 , Arpan Rai

An early morning attack on Sevastopol has left an important Russian shipyard in flames, according to photos and videos purporting to show the incident.

At least three simultaneous explosions can be seen in videos of the attack on the vast shipyard, which serves as the site of construction and repair of ships for the Russian Black Sea Fleet.

The attack on the major naval city took place at 3am.

The Independent has not verified the authenticity of the videos. There was no immediate comment from Kyiv.

Ukraine almost never publicly claims responsibility for attacks inside Russia or on Russian-controlled territory in Ukraine, but has been saying in recent months that destroying Russia’s military infrastructure helps Kyiv’s counteroffensive.

Morning air attack in Crimea sparks fire, injures 24

03:56 , Arpan Rai

An air attack early today sparked a fire at the Sevastopol Shipyard in Crimea, injuring at least 24 people, the Russia-installed governor of Sevastopol, Mikhail Razvozhayev said, blaming “enemies”.

According to preliminary information, the fire was caused by a missile attack, he said.

“I am at the scene of a fire on the southern site of Sevmorzavod. All operational services are working on site, there is no danger to civilian objects in the city,” he said on his official Telegram channel, with a photo showing him at the spot of explosion with a fire blazing in the background.

He added: “Trust information only from official sources. To avoid helping the enemy, do not post a video about the incident.”

Poland says it won't lift its embargo on Ukraine grain because it would hurt its farmers

03:00 , Eleanor Noyce

Poland’s prime minister says his government will not lift its embargo on imports of Ukrainian grain as scheduled Friday because it would hurt Polish farmers.

“Poland will not allow Ukraine grain to flood us,” Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said Tuesday on the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter.

“Regardless of the decisions of the clerks in Brussels, we will not open up our borders,” Morawiecki said in the midst of intensive campaigning for 15 October parliamentary elections.

Read more:

Poland says it won't lift its embargo on Ukraine grain because it would hurt its farmers

Whether Russia or the Soviet Union, a timeline of Moscow’s relations with North Korea

02:00 , Eleanor Noyce

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has arrived in Russia to see President Vladimir Putin. It will be the two isolated leaders’ second meeting. Their governments have not confirmed an agenda, but US officials say Putin may ask for artillery and other ammunition for his war in Ukraine.

Such a request would mark a reversal of roles from the 1950-53 Korean War when the Soviet Union provided ammunition, warplanes and pilots to support communist North Korea‘s invasion of the South and the decades of Soviet sponsorship of the North that followed.

Despite their often aligning interests, relations between Russia and North Korea have experienced highs and lows. Here is a timeline of some key events:

It’s complicated: A timeline of Moscow’s relations with North Korea

Just 14 UK tanks for Ukraine? We must do better than that

01:00 , Eleanor Noyce

Complacency could be the enemy of success in Ukraine. It is 564 days since Putin’s illegal invasion of Ukraine shook to the core assumptions about our UK and European security. War in Europe is a brutal reminder that to be secure at home, we must be strong abroad – and that our allies are the UK’s great strategic strength. Defence of the UK starts in Ukraine.

Despite deeply dug and heavily mined Russian defences, the Ukrainians are gradually getting the upper hand on the battlefield in the south, as well as diversifying the ways it is hitting the enemy – from airfields at depth in Russia, to targets in Crimea, to Russian ships in the Black Sea.

Some have criticised the slow pace of Ukraine’s counter-offensive. Yet its forces are making a similar rate of progress as British troops advancing into Normandy after the D-Day landings. Now is the time for Ukraine’s allies to double down on our support.

Britain’s military backing of Zelensky has been dwarfed by our EU allies, writes shadow defence secretary John Healey. If we are serious about defeating Putin – and defending Britain – we must double down on our support:

Just 14 UK tanks for Ukraine? We must do better than that | John Healey

MoD management of supplies and spares ‘putting front line at risk'

Wednesday 13 September 2023 00:02 , Eleanor Noyce

The Ministry of Defence has been criticised for “longstanding weaknesses” in how it manages spare equipment and supplies, with warnings that delivery to the front line is being put at risk.

The National Audit Office flagged concerns about how the defence department manages its £11.8 billion portfolio of missiles, bombs, spare vehicles parts, boots and other pieces of equipment.

A 44-page report warned that under-resourcing and a complex system were hampering the MoD’s inventory management.

It also found a large build-up of “excess” and “obsolete” stock in warehouses, with 105,500 cubic metres of items stored that are unfit for use.

Auditors found that while progress had been made, including on the removal of financial incentives for over-purchasing, weaknesses remained.

They found that a “siloed” approach had created a “fragmented organisation”, while out-of-date IT systems were posing difficulties.

The report said: “Many of these systems are old, increasing the risks of failure and the expense of supporting them. For example, each command operates its own core inventory management system, two of which are nearly 40 years old. Systems often cannot easily communicate with each other, requiring inefficient manual interventions.”

The NAO also found that “staffing pressures are currently posing risks to delivery to the front line”.

The Defence Equipment and Support body, which is responsible for delivering equipment, told the spending watchdog it had reduced the number of inventory manager posts over time as part of workforce reduction targets.

Auditors also found that the level of staffing for inventory managers was “outdated”.

NAO head Gareth Davies said: “It is vitally important that the UK armed forces have the inventory they need, amid growing global instability and given the plans for an increased deployed presence set out in the Government’s Integrated Review.

“The Ministry of Defence has taken steps to improve its inventory management, and these have resulted in improvements in logistics and commodity procurement and reductions in over-purchasing. However, long-standing weaknesses with its inventory management remain, primarily from legacy IT systems.

“The MoD must ensure it prioritises the resources it needs for its transformation programmes, otherwise its ability to build resilience and deploy the people and equipment it needs in the right places will be frustrated.”

An MoD spokesman said: “We have made vast improvements to the way we manage inventory, including a modernised information system, and rationalising and reducing the number of logistics systems from 250 to 89 over the past 12 years.

“We make sensible judgments to balance having the right equipment and material to support our operations with the costs associated with holding and storing it, whilst delivering value for money for the taxpayer.”

Why did Russia invade Ukraine?

Tuesday 12 September 2023 23:15 , Eleanor Noyce

Russia’s “special military operation” in Ukraine has been raging for one year now as the conflict continues to record devastating casualties and force the mass displacement of millions of blameless Ukrainians.

Vladimir Putin began the war by claiming Russia’s neighbour needed to be “demilitarised and de-Nazified”, a baseless pretext on which to launch a landgrab against an independent state that happens to have a Jewish president in Volodymyr Zelensky.

Ukraine has fought back courageously against Mr Putin’s warped bid to restore territory lost to Moscow with the collapse of the Soviet Union and has continued to defy the odds by defending itself against Russian onslaughts with the help of Western military aid.

More here:

Here’s why Putin really invaded Ukraine

Pope's Ukraine peace envoy heads to China on mission to help return Ukraine children taken to Russia

Tuesday 12 September 2023 22:15 , Eleanor Noyce

Pope Francis’ Ukraine peace envoy, Cardinal Matteo Zuppi, is heading to China on the fourth leg of a mission that has already brought him to Kyiv, Moscow and Washington, the Vatican said Tuesday.

The main aim of the shuttle diplomacy is to help return Ukrainian children taken to Russia after the invasion.

Zuppi, accompanied by an official from the Vatican secretariat of state, will be in Beijing from Wednesday to Friday. The Vatican described the visit as a “further step in the mission desired by the pope to support humanitarian initiatives and the search for paths that can bring about a just peace.”

More here:

Pope's Ukraine peace envoy heads to China on mission to help return Ukraine children taken to Russia

Funding defence companies should count as ethical investment, says Shapps

Tuesday 12 September 2023 21:45 , Eleanor Noyce

Funding defence companies should count as ethical investment because military spending “helps prevent war”, the Defence Secretary has said.

Defence companies have long been excluded from so-called “environmental, social and governance” (ESG) ratings, limiting their access to investors who wish to spend their money sustainably.

In a written ministerial statement on Tuesday, Defence Secretary Grant Shapps said the exclusion of the defence industry from ESG ratings was an “error”.

Read more:

Funding defence companies should count as ethical investment, says Shapps

Britain’s military networks hit by six million cyber attacks in ‘shadow war’

Tuesday 12 September 2023 21:15 , Eleanor Noyce

Britain’s military communication networks were subjected to more than six million cyber attacks last year, with a shadow war intensifying amid conflict in Europe and confrontation in the Far East.

The sustained assaults, on a daily basis, by hostile states and allied criminal gangs are taking place as the intelligence and security services report a notable increase in secret operations by countries like Russia, Iran and China, and when Vladimir Putin is forging links with a ‘pariah’ country, North Korea.

General Sir Jim Hockenhull, head of the UK’s Strategic Command, said: “The new domains of space and cyber are areas of particular challenge, whether it is to ramp up information operations in an attempt to destabilise our societies, or to directly attack our core capabilities.”

Kim Sengupta has more:

Britain’s military networks hit by six million cyber attacks in ‘shadow war’

North Korea’s Kim Jong-un arrives in Russia ahead of meeting with Putin – report

Tuesday 12 September 2023 20:45 , Eleanor Noyce

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un arrived in Russia ahead of an expected meeting with president Vladimir Putin, Russian news agency Interfax reported citing footage from Rossiya-1 TV state channel.

The meeting has sparked Western concerns about a potential arms deal for Moscow’s war in Ukraine.

Mr Kim is expected to seek economic aid and military technology for his impoverished country, and, in an unusual twist, appears to have something Mr Putin desperately needs: munitions for Russia’s grueling war in Ukraine.

Namita Singh reports:

North Korea’s Kim Jong-un arrives in Russia ahead of arms deal meeting with Putin

Voices: Elon Musk’s Ukraine decision was rational. But it should never have been his

Tuesday 12 September 2023 20:15 , Eleanor Noyce

“Really, none of this concerns you?”

CNN’s Jake Tapper spoke for many of us when he asked Secretary of State Antony Blinken this direct and blistering question on yesterday’s State of the Union. The two were discussing revelations in Walter Isaacson’s new biography on Elon Musk, released tomorrow, that the billionaire sabotaged a Ukrainian attack on the Russian navy in Crimea by refusing to enable access to the Starlink satellite network on the peninsula – a network Musk owns and a fact he himself has confirmed.

After saying he “can’t speak to a specific episode,” Blinken seemingly praised Musk’s willingness to even allow the Ukrainians access, saying “Starlink has been a vital tool for… particularly the [Ukrainian] military to communicate in their effort to defend all of Ukraine’s territory.” This, of course, ignores the fact that Crimea is Ukrainian territory illegally annexed and occupied by Russia in 2014.

Skylar Baker-Jordan reports:

Elon Musk’s Ukraine decision was rational. But it should never have been his

Ukraine’s ‘tit for tat’ drone strikes could boost Putin’s popularity in Russia, experts warn

Tuesday 12 September 2023 19:55 , Eleanor Noyce

“We will end this war with drones”, former deputy prime minister of Ukraine Mykhailo Fedorov said in July.

Since that statement, Kyiv has announced plans to invest $1bn into the industry, as more than 10,000 drones are said to be lost on the battlefield every month.

But with more reports of drones cruising over Russian territory and striking deep into the heart of Moscow, analysts have warned there is a real danger Ukraine could become embroiled in a “tit-for-tat” war that could ultimately have the opposite effect and strengthen Putin’s popularity.

Alexander Butler has more:

Ukraine’s ‘tit for tat’ drone strikes could boost Putin’s popularity in Russia

Russian Su-24 military jet crashes in Southern Russia during training -TASS

Tuesday 12 September 2023 19:41 , Eleanor Noyce

A Russian Su-24 frontline bomber crashed on Tuesday in the southern Volgograd region during a training flight, TASS news agency reported citing the defence ministry.

According to the ministry, the plane was flying without ammunition and crashed in a deserted area.

TASS did not provide further details about the accident, including the fate of the crew.

Putin hails Elon Musk as an 'outstanding person' and businessman

Tuesday 12 September 2023 19:25 , Eleanor Noyce

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday hailed South African-born businessman Elon Musk as an “outstanding person” and businessman whose SpaceX company had become a major player in the space transportation industry.

Putin‘s public praise of Musk comes days after the U.S.-based entrepreneur said he refused a Ukrainian request last year to activate his Starlink satellite network in Crimea’s port city of Sevastopol to aid an attack on Russia’s fleet there, saying he feared complicity in a “major” act of war.

Former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev took to X earlier this month to laud Musk over that decision - which has been sharply criticised by Ukrainian politicians - as “the last adequate mind in North America”.

Putin, speaking at an economic forum in Russia’s far east, did not refer to the Starlink incident. But when asked about the success of Musk’s SpaceX company in launching rockets into space, he said:

“As far as private business and Elon Musk is concerned... he is undoubtedly an outstanding person. This must be recognised, and I think it is recognised all over the world.”

“He (Musk) is an active and talented businessman and he is succeeding a lot, including with the support of the American state,” added Putin.

The Russian leader said Moscow planned to persevere with its own space programme despite the failure of a mission to the Moon last month.

Poland says it won't lift its embargo on Ukraine grain because it would hurt its farmers

Tuesday 12 September 2023 19:24 , Eleanor Noyce

Poland’s prime minister says his government will not lift its embargo on imports of Ukrainian grain as scheduled Friday because it would hurt Polish farmers.

“Poland will not allow Ukraine grain to flood us,” Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said Tuesday on the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter.

“Regardless of the decisions of the clerks in Brussels, we will not open up our borders,” Morawiecki said in the midst of intensive campaigning for 15 October parliamentary elections.

More here:

Poland says it won't lift its embargo on Ukraine grain because it would hurt its farmers

Just 14 UK tanks for Ukraine? We must do better than that

Tuesday 12 September 2023 19:00 , Eleanor Noyce

Complacency could be the enemy of success in Ukraine. It is 564 days since Putin’s illegal invasion of Ukraine shook to the core assumptions about our UK and European security. War in Europe is a brutal reminder that to be secure at home, we must be strong abroad – and that our allies are the UK’s great strategic strength. Defence of the UK starts in Ukraine.

Despite deeply dug and heavily mined Russian defences, the Ukrainians are gradually getting the upper hand on the battlefield in the south, as well as diversifying the ways it is hitting the enemy – from airfields at depth in Russia, to targets in Crimea, to Russian ships in the Black Sea.

Some have criticised the slow pace of Ukraine’s counter-offensive. Yet its forces are making a similar rate of progress as British troops advancing into Normandy after the D-Day landings. Now is the time for Ukraine’s allies to double down on our support.

Britain’s military backing of Zelensky has been dwarfed by our EU allies, writes shadow defence secretary John Healey. If we are serious about defeating Putin – and defending Britain – we must double down on our support:

Just 14 UK tanks for Ukraine? We must do better than that | John Healey

Whether Russia or the Soviet Union, a timeline of Moscow’s relations with North Korea

Tuesday 12 September 2023 18:40 , Eleanor Noyce

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has arrived in Russia to see President Vladimir Putin. It will be the two isolated leaders’ second meeting. Their governments have not confirmed an agenda, but US officials say Putin may ask for artillery and other ammunition for his war in Ukraine.

Such a request would mark a reversal of roles from the 1950-53 Korean War when the Soviet Union provided ammunition, warplanes and pilots to support communist North Korea‘s invasion of the South and the decades of Soviet sponsorship of the North that followed.

Despite their often aligning interests, relations between Russia and North Korea have experienced highs and lows. Here is a timeline of some key events:

It’s complicated: A timeline of Moscow’s relations with North Korea

Funding defence companies should count as ethical investment, says Shapps

Tuesday 12 September 2023 18:30 , Eleanor Noyce

Funding defence companies should count as ethical investment because military spending “helps prevent war”, the Defence Secretary has said.

Defence companies have long been excluded from so-called “environmental, social and governance” (ESG) ratings, limiting their access to investors who wish to spend their money sustainably.

In a written ministerial statement on Tuesday, Defence Secretary Grant Shapps said the exclusion of the defence industry from ESG ratings was an “error”.

He said: “Defence companies are being excluded from access to debt and equity capital, citing environmental, social and governance grounds.”

The Defence Secretary added that this “threatens an important part of the economy” and “fails to recognise that the UK’s defence industry is essential to protecting our way of life”.

He said: “As outlined in the Defence Command Paper Refresh, this Government asserts that there is nothing contradictory between the principles within ESG and the defence industry.

“On the contrary, a strong national defence, including our nuclear deterrent, is a pre-requisite for the freedoms (including social liberties) which we often take for granted, and the aspirations that investors and financial services companies seek to address using ESG considerations.”

Mr Shapps, who took over as Defence Secretary at the end of August, added: “Whilst investors must always be free to make their own choices, they should do so on the basis of the facts, and those seeking to inform those choices through providing ESG ratings should be clearer on their methodology and more prompt to correct errors when these are pointed out.

“Defence spending helps prevent war and helps support the British way of life, and those of our Nato allies and partners.”

The statement comes almost three months after ministers met defence company chiefs to discuss whether the demand for more ethical investing was preventing the industry raising capital.

Defence companies have previously suggested ESG requirements have reduced interest from investors, although BAE Systems chief executive Charles Woodburn said earlier this year that this had become less of an issue since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Pope's Ukraine peace envoy heads to China on mission to help return Ukraine children taken to Russia

Tuesday 12 September 2023 18:20 , Eleanor Noyce

Pope Francis’ Ukraine peace envoy, Cardinal Matteo Zuppi, is heading to China on the fourth leg of a mission that has already brought him to Kyiv, Moscow and Washington, the Vatican said Tuesday.

The main aim of the shuttle diplomacy is to help return Ukrainian children taken to Russia after the invasion.

Zuppi, accompanied by an official from the Vatican secretariat of state, will be in Beijing from Wednesday to Friday. The Vatican described the visit as a “further step in the mission desired by the pope to support humanitarian initiatives and the search for paths that can bring about a just peace.”

More here:

Pope's Ukraine peace envoy heads to China on mission to help return Ukraine children taken to Russia

Ranting Putin threatens Sunak and makes wild claim UK ‘backed nuclear plant raid’

Tuesday 12 September 2023 18:10 , Eleanor Noyce

Vladimir Putin has threatened Rishi Sunak as he accused the UK - without proof - of being behind a failed sabotage plot on a Russian atomic facility.

Speaking at the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok on Tuesday, the Russian president said his country’s forces had apprehended Ukrainian ‘saboteurs’ planning to damage power lines at the facility - and in a wild claim he said they were instructed by British secret services.

“During interrogation, they [the ‘saboteurs’] admitted they were trained under supervision of British instructors,” he said in a long rant against Western help to Kyiv.

Alex Ross reports:

Ranting Putin threatens Sunak and makes wild claim UK ‘backed nuclear plant raid’

Putin calls Trump’s laundry list of criminal charges ‘persecution’

Tuesday 12 September 2023 18:01 , Eleanor Noyce

Russian dictator Vladimir Putin has condemned Donald Trump’s laundry list of criminal charges as “persecution” and branded the US political system “rotten”.

At an Eastern Economic Forum gathering in Russia’s Pacific Coast city of Vladivostok, the Russian president claimed the prosecution of the former US president is an act of political revenge.

“As for the prosecution of Trump, for us what is happening in today’s conditions, in my opinion, is good because it shows the rottenness of the American political system, which cannot pretend to teach others democracy,” Mr Putin said.

Martha McHardy reports:

Putin calls Trump’s laundry list of criminal charges ‘persecution’

A Russian passenger jet with a hydraulics problem makes a safe emergency landing in an open field

Tuesday 12 September 2023 17:40 , Eleanor Noyce

A Russian passenger plane with 170 people on board made a successful wheels-down emergency landing in a field Tuesday, and no one was seriously injured, officials said.

The Airbus A320 belonging to Ural Airlines was flying from the Black Sea resort of Sochi to Omsk in eastern Siberia when the crew reported a problem with the hydraulic system and requested permission for the plane to land at Tolmachevo Airport in Novosibirsk, which has a longer runway.

Ural Airlines Director General Sergei Skuratov said the pilots later realized they did not have enough fuel to make it and decided to land instead in a field about 200 kilometres (about 125 miles) west of Novosibirsk.

Read more:

A Russian passenger jet with a hydraulics problem makes a safe emergency landing in an open field

EU to cease sanctions against three Russian businessmen this week - sources

Tuesday 12 September 2023 17:20 , Eleanor Noyce

The European Union will not renew sanctions against three businessmen targeted over Russia’s war against Ukraine when the current punitive measures expire this week, four diplomatic sources told Reuters on Tuesday.

Western governments have imposed sweeping economic sanctions, including Russian oil import bans, on Moscow for its invasion of Ukraine in February last year.

Accompanying individual sanctions include a travel ban and asset freeze, covering about 1,800 people and entities deemed responsible for or benefiting from the war.

The trio poised to be delisted are Russian businessman Grigory Berezkin, billionaire Farkhad Akhmedov and the former head of Ozon, a Russian e-commerce firm, Alexander Shulgin.

Russian military leader Georgy Shuvaev, who died last year, will also be removed, the sources said.

One of the four sources, all of whom work on sanctions and spoke on condition of anonymity, said the listings were considered legally weak, meaning the EU was not certain they would stand up in court if challenged.

The EU needs unanimity among all the bloc’s 27 member states to impose sanctions, which are renewed every six months. The next batch expires on 15 September.

Nearly 1,600 individuals and more than 200 entities are on the EU’s sanctions list, which dates back to 2014 when Russia took over the Crimea region from Ukraine.

Akhmedov is involved in Russia’s oil and gas sector while Berezkin, close to Russian President Vladimir Putin, is involved in a range of sectors including media, infrastructure and energy, according to the official EU sanctions list.

Ukraine conducted drone attack near nuclear plant - Russia's Rosatom

Tuesday 12 September 2023 17:00 , Eleanor Noyce

Ukraine carried out a drone strike on the Russian-held city of Enerhodar near the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant on Monday, the head of Russia’s state nuclear corporation was quoted as saying on Tuesday by Russia’s RIA news agency.

Rosatom chief Alexei Likhachev said six drones were launched at Enerhodar, and that all were destroyed.

The city is in territory in southeastern Ukraine that is held by Russia, which sent tens of thousands of troops into Ukraine over 18 months ago. The nearby Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, Europe’s biggest, is also in Russian hands.

Later on Tuesday, Ukraine‘s military intelligence (GUR) released footage of drone attacks, saying Ukrainian special forces and resistance members in Enerhodar had “congratulated the invaders on the ‘holiday’” - a reference to Russia’s day of migration service workers.

The GUR said that a building in Enerhodar where Russian passports are now being issued, and two locations where up to 12 Russian officers were located, had been hit. A radio communication point had been “neutralised”, it said.

Reuters was not able to verify the reports or the video footage released by the GUR.

G7 condemns 'sham elections' held by Russia on Ukrainian territory

Tuesday 12 September 2023 16:52 , Eleanor Noyce

Foreign ministers from the G7 group of major industrialised countries condemned the staging of what they called “sham elections” by Russia in occupied Ukrainian territories in a statement published by the British government on Tuesday.

“We ... unequivocally condemn the staging of sham ‘elections’ held by Russia on sovereign Ukrainian territory in Donetsk, Kherson, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia oblasts and Crimea,” the G7 statement said.

“These sham ‘elections’ will not alter our approach nor our support to Ukraine as it fights to reclaim its internationally-recognised territory.”

Papal envoy Zuppi heads for China on Ukraine peace mission

Tuesday 12 September 2023 16:43 , Eleanor Noyce

Papal envoy Cardinal Matteo Zuppi will be in China from Wednesday to Friday this week as part of a diplomatic push to facilitate peace in Ukraine, the Vatican said, confirming Italian media reports.

“The visit represents a further stage in the mission desired by the Pope to support humanitarian initiatives and the search for paths that can lead to a just peace”, the Vatican said in a statement on Tuesday.

The cardinal already visited Kyiv and Moscow in June and travelled to Washington the following month as part of the Holy See’s attempts to bring Ukraine and Russia to the negotiating table.

Italian daily La Repubblica said Zuppi was likely to meet “top institutional leaders” in Beijing, including Chinese Premier Li Qiang.

The Vatican statement did not give details about his agenda.

Zuppi has said the initial focus of his mission is to help the repatriation of children that Ukraine says have been deported to Russia or Russian-held territories, rather than a full-scale mediation effort.

His trip to China takes place after a fresh bout of friction between Pope Francis and Kyiv was triggered by the pontiff’s recent praise of Russian tsars, which Ukraine interpreted as lauding Moscow’s imperialism.

Francis acknowledged his comments were badly phrased, telling reporters on 4 September that his intention was to remind young Russians of a great cultural heritage and not a political one.

Nevertheless Mykhailo Podolyak, an adviser to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, told Ukrainian media last week that the pope’s “pro-Russia stance” disqualified him from acting as a would-be peacemaker.

Zuppi, the head of the Italian Bishops’ Conference, has experience as a mediator, having helped broker a 1992 peace deal in Mozambique through the Sant’Egidio Community, a Rome-based Catholic peace and justice group.

Poland says it won't lift its embargo on Ukraine grain because it would hurt its farmers

Tuesday 12 September 2023 16:30 , Matt Mathers

Poland’s prime minister says his government will not lift its embargo on imports of Ukrainian grain as scheduled Friday because it would hurt Polish farmers.

“Poland will not allow Ukraine grain to flood us,” Mateusz Morawiecki said Tuesday on the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter.

“Regardless of the decisions of the clerks in Brussels, we will not open up our borders,” Morawiecki said in the midst of intensive campaigning for 15 October parliamentary elections.

Full report:

Poland says it won't lift its embargo on Ukraine grain because it would hurt its farmers

Putin calls Trump’s laundry list of criminal charges ‘persecution’

Tuesday 12 September 2023 16:00 , Matt Mathers

Russian dictator Vladimir Putin has condemned Donald Trump’s laundry list of criminal charges as “persecution” and branded the US political system “rotten”.

At an Eastern Economic Forum gathering in Russia’s Pacific Coast city of Vladivostok, the Russian president claimed the prosecution of the former US president is an act of political revenge.

Martha McHardy reports:

Putin calls Trump’s laundry list of criminal charges ‘persecution’

Denmark to donate military aid package to Ukraine, worth $833 mln

Tuesday 12 September 2023 15:30 , Matt Mathers

Denmark will donate a package worth 5.8 billion Danish crowns ($833 million) to Ukraine, including tanks, infantry fighting vehicles, tank ammunition and anti-aircraft guns, the ministry of defence said in a statement on Tuesday.

The full amount is distributed over three rounds - 4.3 billion this year, 1.4 billion in 2024 and 52 million in 2025, the ministry said.

"After more than a year and a half of war, we have almost exhausted our defence stocks. Therefore, we are now looking into more targeted joint procurement and international cooperation, tailored to Ukraine’s needs here and now," foreign minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen said in a statement.

This is the twelfth and largest donation package Denmark has sent to Ukraine since Russia invaded the country in February 2022, the ministry added.

Putin says he’s ready for long war, not betting on Trump

Tuesday 12 September 2023 14:56 , Matt Mathers

Russian president Vladimir Putin on Tuesday indicated he was bracing for a long war in Ukraine, saying that Kyiv could use any ceasefire to rearm and that Washington would continue to see Russia as an enemy no matter who won the 2024 US  election.

Speaking for several hours at an economic forum in Russia’s Pacific port city of Vladivostok, Putin said Ukraine’s counteroffensive against Russian forces had so far failed and the Ukrainian army had sustained heavy losses of 71,000 men in the attacks. Only when Ukraine was exhausted when it came to men, equipment and ammunition would it talk peace, he said in reply to questions from a Russian television presenter acting as a moderator.

But he said Kyiv would use any cessation of hostilities "to replenish their resources and restore the combat capability of their armed forces."Putin said many potential mediators had asked him if Russia.

He also said Putin said the prosecution in the United States of former president Donald Trump was politically motivated and demonstrated the "rottenness" of the US political system. But the Kremlin chief said that no matter who won next year’s US election, he expected no change in Washington’s policy towards Russia. "The will be no fundamental changes in the Russian direction in U.S. foreign policy, no matter who is elected president," Putin said. "The US authorities perceive Russia as an existential enemy."

Investigation into Russian nationalist Girkin extended till Dec 18 - supporters

Tuesday 12 September 2023 14:15 , Matt Mathers

A criminal investigation into prominent Russian nationalist Igor Girkin was extended until 18 December his supporters said on Tuesday in their Telegram channel.

Girkin, who has strongly criticised the conduct of the Ukraine war, was detained in July on charges of inciting extremism. If convicted, the 52-year-old may face up to five years in jail

Girkin, who also goes by the name Igor Strelkov, is a former security services officer who helped to start the initial war in Ukraine in 2014, when a militia under his command seized the east Ukrainian city of Sloviansk.

He is best known in the West for having been convicted in absentia by a Dutch court over the shooting down of a Malaysian passenger plane with the loss of 298 lives over eastern Ukraine in 2014.

ICYMI: Why Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong-un are desperate for each other’s help

Tuesday 12 September 2023 14:00 , Matt Mathers

The North Korean leader is in Russia to discuss weapons for Moscow’s war machine. Given the isolation both men face, it is clear they need each other, writes Chris Stevenson.

Read Chris’s full piece here:

Analysis: Why Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong-un are desperate for each other’s help

EU to cease sanctions against three Russian businessmen this week - sources

Tuesday 12 September 2023 13:35 , Matt Mathers

The European Union will not renew sanctions against three men targeted over Russia’s war against Ukraine when the current punitive measures expire later this week, two diplomatic sources told Reuters on Tuesday.

The trio are Russian businessman Grigory Berezkin, billionaire Farkhad Akhmedov and the former head of Ozon, Russian e-commerce firm, Alexander Shulgin.

The EU needs unanimity of all the bloc’s 27 member states to impose sanctions, which are renewed every six months. The next batch expires 15 September.

Britain orders more munitions as Ukraine war boosts UK defence

Tuesday 12 September 2023 13:20 , Matt Mathers

Britain’s BAE Systems has won a further £130 million ($162 million) order from the government for munitions, as the Ukraine war continues to boost the UK defence industry.

Britain had already signed a £280 million munitions contract with BAE, Britain’s biggest defence company, in July before it exercised an option to increase its supply by another £130 million on Tuesday.

"The conflict in Ukraine has forced a global rethink around munition priorities," Steve Cardew, BAE’s business development director, munitions, told media at the DSEI arms fair in London.

The chief executive of British military technology company Qinetiq, Steve Wadey, said the war in Ukraine had triggered its main customers of Britain, the United States and Australia to "strategically step back and look at the long-term threats in the world and consider their defence and security policies, budgets and solutions."

Timeline of Russia’s relations with North Korea as Putin meets Kim Jong-Un

Tuesday 12 September 2023 13:00 , Matt Mathers

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has arrived in Russia to see President Vladimir Putin. It will be the two isolated leaders’ second meeting. Their governments have not confirmed an agenda, but US officials say Putin may ask for artillery and other ammunition for his war in Ukraine.

Such a request would mark a reversal of roles from the 1950-53 Korean War when the Soviet Union provided ammunition, warplanes and pilots to support communist North Korea‘s invasion of the South and the decades of Soviet sponsorship of the North that followed.

Full report:

It’s complicated: A timeline of Moscow’s relations with North Korea

ICYMI: Ukraine’s ‘tit for tat’ drone strikes could boost Putin’s popularity in Russia, experts warn

Tuesday 12 September 2023 12:20 , Matt Mathers

“We will end this war with drones”, former deputy prime minister of Ukraine Mykhailo Fedorov said in July.

Since that statement, Kyiv has announced plans to invest $1bn into the industry, as more than 10,000 drones are said to be lost on the battlefield every month.

Alexander Butler reports:

Ukraine’s ‘tit for tat’ drone strikes could boost Putin’s popularity in Russia

Putin claims UK behind attempted attack on atomic facility

Tuesday 12 September 2023 12:00 , Matt Mathers

An attempted attack by Ukrainian forces on a Russian atomic facility was orchestrated by the UK, Vladimir Putin has claimed.

The Russian president was speaking at the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok.

“Do they understand what they are playing with?” Putin said.

“Are they trying to provoke us into retaliating against Ukrainian atomic power stations? Does the British prime minister know what his secret services are doing in Ukraine?”

Sweden to consider sending fighter jets to Ukraine, SR radio reports

Tuesday 12 September 2023 11:45 , Matt Mathers

The Swedish government will ask its armed forces to investigate the potential for sending Gripen fighter jets to Ukraine, Swedish public radio (SR) reported on Tuesday, citing unnamed sources.

The government wants to know, among other things, how a handover would affect Sweden’s defence capabilities and how quickly Sweden could get new Gripen fighters, SR reported.

Putin says Ukraine is only likely to talk peace when its resources are exhausted

Tuesday 12 September 2023 11:19 , Matt Mathers

Russian president Vladimir Putin said on Tuesday that Ukraine was only likely to start peace talks when it ran out of resources and would use any potential cessation of hostilities to rearm again with Western help.

The war has sown devastation across swathes of eastern and southern Ukraine, killed or injured hundreds of thousands and triggered the biggest rupture in Russia’s ties with the West since the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis.

Putin, speaking at an economic forum in Russia’s Pacific port city of Vladivostok, said Ukraine’s counteroffensive against Russian forces had so far failed and that the Ukrainian army had sustained heavy losses.

"I have the impression that they want to bite off as much as they can and then, when their resources are close to zero, to achieve a cessation of hostilities and start negotiations in order to replenish their resources and restore combat capability," Putin said.

Black Sea grain deal on hold - Kremlin

Tuesday 12 September 2023 10:44 , Matt Mathers

The Black Sea Grain deal is on hold, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Tuesday.

According to state-run media, Peskov added that there had been no progress in restraining the deal, which broke down in July last year.

Moscow pulled out after claiming the West was failing to enable the shipment of Russia’s own grain and fertiliser exports.

The deal allows for commercial food and fertilizer (including ammonia) exports from three key Ukrainian ports in the Black Sea – Odesa, Chornomorsk, Yuzhny/Pivdennyi.

Putin claims 1,000 - 1,500 Russian soldiers are signing up each day

Tuesday 12 September 2023 10:13 , Matt Mathers

President Vladimir Putin claimed on Tuesday that 1,000 - 1,500 Russians were signing voluntary contracts to join the military every day.

He was responding to a question about whether Russia needed to introduce a new compulsory mobilisation to boost its military effort in Ukraine, something the Kremlin has repeatedly said is not necessary.

Over the past six or seven months, 270,000 people have signed voluntary contracts, Putin said - a figure slightly lower than the 280,000 that former president Dmitry Medvedev stated earlier this month.

Live lobsters, cases of wine and bulletproof carriages: Inside Kim Jong-un’s train to meet Putin

Tuesday 12 September 2023 09:50 , Matt Mathers

Kim Jong-un appears to have chosen his favoured means of transportation for his first journey outside North Korea in nearly four years – a lavishly adorned, heavily fortified and slow-moving train.

Mr Kim reached Russia on Tuesday after boarding the train on Sunday. He was accompanied by top arms industry and military officials besides North Korea’s foreign minister.

Maroosha Muzaffar reports:

Inside Kim Jong-un’s train to meet Putin: Lobster, wine and bulletproof carriages

ICYMI: Ukraine ‘many steps closer to regaining Crimea’ after Black Sea gains

Tuesday 12 September 2023 09:34 , Matt Mathers

The recapture of the so-called Boyko Towers platforms provides an energy source and takes back an asset that Russia seized in 2015 and used to launch helicopters, Ukraine’s Ministry of Defence has said.

“Russia has been deprived of the ability to fully control the waters of the Black Sea, and this makes Ukraine many steps closer to regaining Crimea,” the Main Intelligence Directorate said.

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky has vowed to do all he can to bring back Crimea, which Russia annexed from Ukraine in 2014, and has urged international allies to support the effort.

Full report:

Ukraine ‘many steps closer to regaining Crimea’ after Black Sea gains

Why Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong-un are desperate for each other’s help

Tuesday 12 September 2023 09:20 , Matt Mathers

The North Korean leader is in Russia to discuss weapons for Moscow’s war machine. Given the isolation both men face it is clear they need each other, writes Chris Stevenson.

Read Chris’s full piece here.

Putin says Yandex co-founder entitled to his opinion following anti-war outburst

Tuesday 12 September 2023 08:53 , Matt Mathers

Russian president Vladimir Putin on Tuesday described the co-founder of tech company Yandex Arkady Volozh as a "talented man" who has the right to express his opinion following an anti-war outburst he made last month.

Volozh slammed Russia’s "barbaric" invasion of Ukraine days after criticism in Russia over his apparent efforts to distance himself from the country.

Volozh is the founder and CEO of Yandex - Russia’s largest internet company, which has been compared to Google.

Ukraine’s Zelensky vetoes asset declaration law

Tuesday 12 September 2023 08:23 , Matt Mathers

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky said on Tuesday he had vetoed a parliamentary bill that sought to retain closed asset declarations for officials.

Parliament voted last week on Tuesday to restore a declaration rule that was suspended after Russia’s 2022 invasion as a security precaution, but - in an important loophole - to keep the disclosures closed to the public for another year.

"Declarations should be open. Immediately. Not in a year," Zelensky said on the Telegram messaging app.

Russia repositions air defences in Moscow to protect against growing threat of drone attacks

Tuesday 12 September 2023 07:51 , Matt Mathers

Russia has repositioned its air defences in Moscow to better protect the city against the growing number of drone attacks it faces, Britain’s Ministry of Defence has said.

“Since early September 2023, Russian SA-22 air defence systems around the capital have been pictured positioned on elevated towers and ramps,” the MoD said in a statement.

“Previously, following strikes against Engels and Ryazan air bases in December 2022, Russia also positioned SA-22 on the roofs of official buildings in Moscow.

“This is almost certainly to allow the system to detect and engage UAV-type targets. However, it is probably also intended to act as a high-profile reassurance to the public that the authorities have the threat under control.”

Ukraine’s ‘tit for tat’ drone strikes could boost Putin’s popularity in Russia, experts warn

Tuesday 12 September 2023 07:25 , Matt Mathers

“We will end this war with drones”, former deputy prime minister of Ukraine Mykhailo Fedorov said in July.

Since that statement, Kyiv has announced plans to invest $1bn into the industry, as more than 10,000 drones are said to be lost on the battlefield every month.

Alexander Butler reports:

Ukraine’s ‘tit for tat’ drone strikes could boost Putin’s popularity in Russia

Papal peace envoy to travel to China on Tuesday to discuss Ukraine peace - papers

Tuesday 12 September 2023 07:08 , Namita Singh

Papal envoy Cardinal Matteo Zuppi will travel to Beijing on Tuesday in a diplomatic effort to help end the war in Ukraine, some Italian newspapers reported.

Cardinal Zuppi is likely to meet “top institutional leaders” including Chinese premier Li Qiang on Wednesday, La Repubblica daily noted.

The envoy already visited Kyiv and Moscow in June and travelled to Washington the following month as part of the Vatican’s efforts to broker a peace deal between Ukraine and Russia.

Breaking: North Korea’s leader Kim Jong-un arrives in Russia ahead of meeting with Putin

Tuesday 12 September 2023 06:18 , Namita Singh

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un arrived in Russia ahead of an expected meeting with president Vladimir Putin, Russian news agency Interfax reported citing footage from Rossiya-1 TV state channel.

The meeting has sparked Western concerns about a potential arms deal for Moscow’s war in Ukraine.

More here:

North Korea’s leader Kim Jong-un arrives in Russia ahead of meeting with Putin

Putin and Kim Jong-un likely to meet after Vladivostok forum

Tuesday 12 September 2023 05:59 , Namita Singh

Kim Jong-un and Vladimir Putin will meet after the Vladivostok forum, Russian news agencies quoted Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov as saying.

Mr Kim is making his first foreign trip since the Covid-19 pandemic during which North Korea tightly enforced border controls for more than three years.

Associated Press journalists near the North Korea-Russia frontier saw a green train with yellow trim similar to one Mr Kim used during previous foreign trips at a station on the North Korean side of a border river on Monday.

North Korea’s artillery support could give boost to Russia in war against Ukraine

Tuesday 12 September 2023 05:44 , Namita Singh

Experts say North Korea would struggle to acquire such capabilities without external help, although it is not clear if Russia would share such sensitive technologies.

Kim Jong-un is also apparently bringing Jo Chun Ryong, a ruling party official in charge of munitions policies who had accompanied the leader on his recent tours to factories producing artillery shells and missiles, according to South Korea’s Unification Ministry, which analysed the North Korean photos.

North Korea may have tens of millions of artillery shells and rockets based on Soviet designs that could give a huge boost to the Russian army in Ukraine, analysts say.

A possible venue where Mr Kim and Mr Putin could meet is the eastern Russian city of Vladivostok, where Mr Putin arrived on Monday to attend an international forum that runs through Wednesday, according to Russia’s TASS news agency.

Who were part of Kim Jong-un's delegation to Russia?

Tuesday 12 September 2023 05:31 , Namita Singh

Kim Jong-un’s delegation likely includes his foreign minister Choe Sun Hui, and his top two military officials – Korean People’s Army marshals Ri Pyong Chol and Pak Jong Chon.

Other officials identified in North Korean state media photos may hint at what Mr Kim might seek from Mr Putin and what he would be willing to give.

The officials include Pak Thae Song, chair of North Korea’s space science and technology committee, and Navy admiral Kim Myong Sik, who are linked with North Korean efforts to acquire spy satellites and nuclear-capable ballistic missile submarines.

Experts say North Korea would struggle to acquire such capabilities without external help, although it is not clear if Russia would share such sensitive technologies.

Mr Kim is also apparently bringing Jo Chun Ryong, a ruling party official in charge of munitions policies who had accompanied the leader on his recent tours to factories producing artillery shells and missiles, according to South Korea’s Unification Ministry, which analysed the North Korean photos.

North Korea’s Kim Jong-un in Russia amid US warning not to sell arms

Tuesday 12 September 2023 05:06 , Namita Singh

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has arrived in Russia, Japanese media reported today, for what the Kremlin said would be a comprehensive discussion with president Vladimir Putin amid warnings from Washington they should not agree on an arms deal.

Kim left Pyongyang for Russia on Sunday on his private train, the North’s state media reported, accompanied by top arms industry and military officials and the foreign minister.

Japan’s Kyodo news agency reported citing an unnamed Russian official source that the green train carrying Mr Kim arrived at Khasan station, the main rail gateway to Russia’s Far East from North Korea.

South Korea’s defence ministry spokesperson said it believes Mr Kim entered Russia early today.

Mr Kim does not travel abroad frequently, making just seven trips away from his country and twice stepping across the inter-Korean border in his 12 years in power. Four of those trips were to the North’s main political ally, China.

In pictures: Kim Jong Un leaves for Russia

Tuesday 12 September 2023 04:21 , Namita Singh